Walmart Makes Large Donation to RIFA Snack Backpack Program

By
Joe Sullivan
By
jsullivan@wbbjtv.com

JACKSON, TN.- RIFA received a $50,000 check from Walmart North General Manager Jeff Schultz.

The money comes through the Walmart Foundation's State Giving Program.

"It feels real good," Jeff Schultz said. "This is the biggest check we have been able to give in the city of Jackson since the program started. It's very rewarding for Walmart to be able to help such a great cause."

Many school children in Jackson go home to little or no food on the weekend.

The snack backpacks provide kid friendly, easy to prepare, nutritious food items for children who are at risk of going hungry on Saturdays and Sundays.

The food is given to the children on Friday's during the school year.

More than 580 backpacks of food are distributed each week to thirteen local elementary schools.

"It amazes me and I get humbled by the support that RIFA gets from the community," said Lisa Tillman, the Executive Director of RIFA. "This truly is a community based organization. We could not do what we do here at RIFA without support from the community."

The $50,000 received from the Walmart Foundation will provide 14,000 snack packs this school year.

"It takes about $80,000 just in food cost alone to operate this program and of course we would love to expand the program," Tillman said. "This may give us an opportunity to do that this year."